Valletta - Hibernians 1-2
Valletta: S. Sullivan, K. Cassar, S. Pace, B. Nisevic, K. Bonnici, K. Fenech, M. Penchev, M. Grima, M. Galea, G. Agius, C. Oretan (I. Zammit).
Hibs: M. Muscat, A. Pulis, A. Xuereb, R. Mintoff, E. Mbong, P. Pullicino (D. Camilleri), N. Chukunyere, A. Zahra (C. Nwankwo), T. Scerri, R. Baldacchino, A. Cohen.
Referee: R. Buontempo, Asst refs: I. Spiteri, K. Borg, 4th official: L. Sammut.
Scorers: M. Galea, A. Cohen 2
Yellow cards: A. Xuereb, K. Fenech, A. Cohen
Player of the match: E. Mbong.
TMI Top 3: 1. A. Cohen; 2. E. Mbong; 3. K. Fenech.
Hibs made a remarkable comeback in the second half to turn the tables on the Lillywhites to go second place on equal point with the same Citizens. The match was very interesting between two of the best teams in the Premier.
Valletta dominated the first thirty minutes but faded out completely as Hibs increased the tempo. Andrew Cohen was once again Hibs' hero scoring both goals. For Valletta this second consecutive defeat should serve as a warning to coach JJ Aquilina. It is true that Valletta are still in the hunt but these two defeats showed some worrying limitations especially in attack were Oretan failed to leave the desired effec.
On eleven minutes Valletta forged ahead when Mark Galea shot beautifully from the edge of the area giving Muscat no chance, for a very well taken goal.
This goal was followed by a good patch for Valletta who were all over the place, and with very good possession of the ball never gave the Paolites time to settle down. Penchev went close on 20 minutes following a Bonnici corner from the right. Six minutes later Massimo Grima showed his best with a perfect freekick, but Muscat answered brilliantly.
In a rare break Terence Scerri deceived Sharlon Pace, but Nisevic showed all his experience blocking the Hibs' youngster to avoid a certain goal. Hibs had further attempts as they played better in the last part of the first half, but all their shots were well off target. The closest they went was in the 45th minute when Nisevic almost committed a classic own goal in an attempt to clear a Chukunyere cross, and from the resultant corner, Antoine Zahra was very unlucky when his bombshell slammed against the crossbar.
The second half started with Hibernians like a house on fire and they obtained the equaliser after only three minutes when Essien Mbong's fierce drive could only by partially saved by Sullivan and Cohen slammed the ball home. On 62 minutes it was Sullivan who denied Scerri a certain goal when he dived to save brilliantly.
On 70 minutes Hibs reaped the fruit of their superiority when they took the lead in a somewhat lucky manner when Andrew Cohen's freekick was deflected by the Citizens' defensive barrier to completely deceive a helpless Sullivan.
Valletta introduced Ian Zammit for a tired Oretan, but were far from dangerous in front Muscat.